Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has issued a decree to extend the office term of the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) commissioners after the House of Representatives failed to confirm any of the 18 commissioner candidates he submitted in November, last year.

"I need to inform the media that the Keppres (presidential decision) on the extension of the terms of the 2012-2017 KPPU commissioners has been signed by the President," said presidential spokesman Johan Saptopribowo in a statement on Wednesday.

He said the extension period was valid for two months until April 27, 2018. It is the second extension after the KPPU commissioners' original term ended on Dec. 27, 2017.

On Nov. 22, 2017, the President submitted the names of 18 KPPU commissioner candidates to the House for approval. Under the existing regulation, the House is required to carry out fit and proper tests of the candidates before electing nine of them.

However, House Commission VI, which is tasked with electing the KPPU commissioners, rejected to hold fit and proper tests, arguing that the selection team had not done its job properly in nominating the candidates.

The President initially extended the current commissioners' term until Feb. 28. Johan said that the President had called on the House Commission VI to immediately conduct fit and proper tests for the 18 KPPU commissioner candidates. (bbn)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/02/28/again-jokowi-extends-kppu-commissioners-term.html